The apple variety 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' was registered in 1888 and is characterized by its good health and robustness. We present the autumn apple and the special features of cultivation and care.
As early as 1888, John Graham accidentally discovered a seedling of unknown origin in England. He called it 'Graham's Jubilee', which is now called 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' or 'Grahams' for short. The apple tree 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' is particularly popular because of its robustness to all kinds of typical apple diseases and because of its tasty apples.
contents
- ‘Graham’s Jubilee Apple’: Wanted Poster
- History and origin of the apple
- Characteristics and taste of 'Graham's Jubilee Apple'
- Tips on growing and caring for 'Graham's Jubilee Apple'
- Harvest and use apple variety 'Graham's Jubilee Apple'
'Graham's Jubilee Apple': Characteristics
| synonym | 'Grahams Jubilee', 'Grahams', 'Graham Royal Jubilee', 'Graham's Queen Jubilee Apple' |
| fruit | big; Green to light yellow base color with orange-red top colour |
| the taste | moderately juicy, sweet |
| yield | high and regular |
| harvest time | mid-September to mid-October |
| maturity | mid-September to mid-October |
| shelf life | bad |
| growth | medium strength |
| climate | not suitable for locations where there is a risk of late frost or where there is a draft |
| diseases and pests | no known vulnerabilities |
History and origin of the apple
Like so many popular apple varieties – such as the ‘Corbinian apple’ – ‘Graham’s Jubilee Apple’ was not specifically bred, but discovered by accident. Mother and father varieties are therefore unknown. John Graham recognized the potential of the tree and the good taste of the fruit and named the variety as early as 1888. The origin of his unusual name is well documented: John Graham dedicated his new apple variety to Queen Victoria, who celebrated her 50th birthday in 1887. had jubilee. For this reason, the apple was initially called 'Graham Royal Jubilee', or in Germany 'Graham's Queen Jubilee Apple'.
It was not until 1893 that the apple variety was then professionally produced and marketed by the Bunyard Nursery in Maidstone. In the 1950s and 1960s, the 'Grahams Jubilee Apple' was still grown commercially on the Lower Elbe and in the Old Country and was mainly used for core extraction. Today the apple is no longer important in fruit growing, but it is very popular in private gardens.
Properties and taste of 'Graham's Jubilee Apple'
The 'Grahams Jubilee' apple has a tall, conical and somewhat irregular shape and is one of the larger apple varieties with an average fruit weight of 140 g. The apples show a green to light yellow basic color - only on the sunny side can a faint orange-red develop as an overcolor. The smooth, rust-free skin of the 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' is dull and firm. Some russeting is only found on the stalk and the deep calyx. The flesh is fluffy and whitish with a yellow tint and medium-sized cells. In the mouth, 'Grahams Jubilee' feels moderately juicy. Unfortunately, the taste of the 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' is only in the middle range: it is more sweet than tart. Many lovers are nevertheless convinced of this apple. The firm shell of 'Graham's Jubilee' is firm and therefore not sensitive to pressure.
Tips on growing and caring for 'Graham's Jubilee Apple'
'Grahams Jubilee' is hardy and generally healthy. There are no known susceptibility to typical apple tree diseases. It also thrives on poor soil, in rough mountainous areas and on boggy soil - where many other varieties would have given up long ago. The wood is particularly insensitive to the effects of frost, and frost cracks hardly ever occur. However, the late, short flowering is more sensitive and does not tolerate any frost. There is a small snag on this "miracle tree": In locations endangered by late frost, the blossom can freeze, what leads to crop failure and also a whole series of years with fluctuating yields - called "alternance" - triggers. In locations where there is no danger of late frost, however, the yields are high and even. Draft locations can also be a problem: 'Grahams Royal Jubilee' easily lets the wind blow its fruit shake prematurely from the branches, leading to bruises in ripe specimens or buckets of half-ripe fruit brings in.
'Graham's Jubilee Apple' grows moderately and forms an umbrella-shaped crown when not pruned into a different shape. The 'Grahams Jubilee Apple' variety should be pruned rather cautiously, since pruning too hard can also trigger alternation. It is better to prune the apple tree annually so as not to spur the tree on to vegetative growth with radical measures.
Tip: The site requirements and the growth of 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' are of course influenced by the selected rootstock, as with any noble variety. The properties mentioned above apply primarily to seedlings on their own roots. A suitable rootstock for 'Grahams Jubilee' is for example M9.
With its late blooming season, 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' cannot be pollinated by just any apple variety. Suitable pollinators are ‘Laxtons Superb’, ‘Red Star Reinette’, ‘Yellow precious apple' and 'spice hatches’.
apple variety 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' harvest and use
The best time of the apple year is definitely the harvest time: between mid-September and October the apples are ripe and ready to eat. The apples are considered unsuitable for cold storage and should ideally be processed fresh. The 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' is particularly popular for baking, as its yellow flesh gives it a beautiful color and it stays firm when cooking and baking. 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' is also very popular as a compote or dried fruit. As a table apple, on the other hand, the apple variety is not used that often, but with its sweet taste it has its charm here too.
Is 'Graham's Jubilee Apple' too diva-like for you? Or are you looking for an apple with a better shelf life? Then try the ‘Ontario apple‘. This is not only frost hardy and can be stored for a long time, but is also extremely tasty.
